Dylan Franks

As a member of the project management team, the Project Engineer is responsible for assisting and supporting Estimating, Project Management and Field Operations Departments in planning, directing,  and coordinating designated project activities to ensure all goals and objectives are met. This role will learn all facets of the construction process to allow progression to the position of estimator, project manager, or superintendent. The Project Engineer will participate in Leopardo’s structured training, which includes completion of the assigned rotational learning plans, to gain a clear understanding of Company policies, procedures, philosophies, and the overall construction process. 

 

�鶹��ƷInstitute not only provided me with a strong foundation in construction management through hands-on learning, industry-focused coursework, and real-world projects, but also allowed me to expand my knowledge beyond construction. I had the ability to take Entreprenurial and sales classes, which further developed my communication skills, business sense, and ability to understand clients on a deeper level. 

 

Purdue's construction professors played a big role in preparing me for my career. Them showing up every day and teaching us their knowledge is something I will be forever grateful for. Especially the knowledge of Professor Zimpfer, who was an entrepreneur himself, and a professional in the construction industry. He was an outstanding professor who not only kept us accountable but also challenged us to think critically, manage real-world construction scenarios, and developed strong problem-solving skills. He dedicated a lot of his time to our success in the class, and in the construction field. 

 

The construction classes that were most beneficial to me were CM 150 & 450. These were both classes that touched in real-world experiences that we would see on the jobsite. Aside from construction, some other classes that helped build my confidence and knowledge as a student has been the Entreprenurial and selling and sales classes. These classes helped me develop essential communication, and problem-solving skills.

 

My Favorite class has been CM 150, a fully hands-on course. As a freshman, it was my first real exposure to construction, and I found it incredibly rewarding. I was enthusiastic about learning, and building a small house from scratch made the experience even more exciting. However, my favorite project was in CGT 164, specifically our final project. We had to create a multi-family living project, starting in AutoCAD and then transitioning it into Revit to refine the design and bring it to life. What made this project so enjoyable was the creative freedom - we had the ability to design and make decisions we saw fit, which made it both challenging and rewarding.